In the event you dream of sitting in your lodge balcony and looking at huge mountains topped by snow, South America has a large variety of substantial mountains that can set you up proper. We’ve coated loads of luxurious lodges that match the invoice in loads of international locations and even did this round-up of the most effective lodges for mountaineering on the continent. However have you ever ever puzzled how excessive is excessive within the Americas? We dug in to seek out out that are the ten highest mountains in South America and the place they’re positioned.
It seems that 100 peaks within the Andes exceed 19,000 toes and 6,000 meters, so it’s a decent race on the high. That is the very best mountain vary exterior of the well-known Himalayas. Overlaying terrain far and huge, the mountains of South America that attain to the clouds reside all through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Suriname, and Venezuela. Listed below are the tallest mountains, however be aware that almost all of those usually are not close to any main cities. You’ll have to get into the countryside to see most of them, even from a distance.
Mount Aconcagua, Argentina – 22,841 toes (6,961 meters)
Mount Aconcagua (pictured above) is often the primary one folks consider on the subject of mountains in South America, on the highest level within the Andes Mountain vary. Standing at practically 23,000 toes and seven,000 meters, it’s the highest mountain within the Americas, and the tallest mountain exterior of Asia altogether.
That is the one all of these folks on a quest to climb the world’s highest peaks come to scale. Or ones desirous to climb the very best summit on every continent. It’s within the Mendoza Province and the Principal Cordillera and has been stated to be “the very best non-technical mountain on this planet,” with manageable terrain and routes. This doesn’t imply it’s straightforward or predictable although and there are many tales of mountaineers making an attempt to succeed in the summit and having to show again due to life-threatening situations.
You don’t should climb the mountain to get pleasure from this outstanding peak in fact. There are many good viewpoints in Aconcagua Nationwide Park. Right here it’s straightforward to guide at good Mendoza wine lodge afterwards to rejoice.
Nevado Ojos del Salado, Argentina and Chile – 22,615 toes (6,893 meters)
The second-highest mountain in South America, Ojos del Salado, that means “Eyes of the Salty One,” is the very best mountain in Chile, in addition to the very best lively volcano on this planet, nonetheless with minor exercise. Whereas a lot of the climb could be easy like Aconcagua, low temperatures and winds make the summit of the second tallest mountain tough, particularly when nearing the highest near 7,000 meters.
Its identify comes from its quite a few lakes and hosts the very best crater lake on the planet at over 21,000 toes at its base. It’s a must to actually wish to come right here to see this one: it’s in a fairly remoted space midway between Santiago and San Pedro de Atacama, west of Argentina’s white wine city of Cafayate. You’ll be able to generally see the height within the distance from the countryside there when you’re on an journey tour of the Salta Province and it’s a transparent day.
Monte Pissis, Argentina – 22,287 toes (6,795 meters)
Named Pedro José Amadeo Pissis, the identify for the third highest mountain in South America is taken from the French geologist and former Chilean authorities member. Within the nineteenth century, Pissis had a task in establishing the cartography of Argentina. The mountain itself is on the dryer facet however has a notable glacier.
It’s also an lively volcano and is much less explored than its neighbors regardless of its excessive altitude and peaks. That is one other powerful one to succeed in as there are few cities and even cities close by, so mountaineers have to convey provides fairly a distance to get began on a climb.
Nevado Huascarán, Peru – 22,205 toes (6,768 meters)
The very best mountain in Peru, Huascaran additionally takes the title for the very best on this planet’s tropics right here within the Peruvian Andes. It’s also often called Mataraju, that means “twin snow peaks” from the Ancash Quechua, and the identify given by the native indigenous folks.
In 1970, an earthquake brought on the north facet of the mountain to break down and trigger the deadliest avalanche catastrophe in historical past, with round 30,000 casualties. Named after a Sixteenth-century Inca ruler and UNESCO-designated, its nationwide park is a World Heritage website.
A number of journey firms provide organized treks on this space, with beautiful views alongside the way in which every day, and there are some primary however comfy locations to remain close by.
Cerro Bonete, Argentina – 22,175 toes (6,759 meters)
Regardless of being the fifth tallest mountain in South America, the width and circumference of Cerro Bonete Grande takes the cake, masking a large quantity of floor, and takes round two weeks to climb. There’s a refuge and a base camp alongside the way in which, with tenting routes set in place. General, nevertheless, it’s a troublesome, technical climb for extra superior people.
In case you are a climber that wishes to hit two mountains directly although, this one is simply south of Monte Pissis talked about above. From the highest of both you may be capable of see Ojos del Salado to the north if the clouds have cleared.
Nevado Tres Cruces, Argentina and Chile – 22,142 toes (6,749 meters)
By sergejf – Flickr: Ojos del Salado summit – surroundings, CC BY-SA 2.0
To the east of Ojos de Salado, the summits have numerous glaciers. To not point out, volcanic exercise dates again practically 2 million years (however with no eruptions in additional than 21,000 years). The mountain resides within the Atacama Area inside the Andes Mountains, and its identify means “three crosses,” referring to the 2 essential summits, Tres Cruces Sur and Tres Cruces Centro, and the third smaller summit.
See our article on the most effective scenic drives in Argentina for a route that passes by these peaks and a number of the others, on Ruta 40 that climbs all the way in which to five,000 meters. In the event you’re not a climber, that is the most effective place to get your views of a number of the highest mountains in South America.
Cerro Mercedario, Argentina – 22,047 toes (6,720 meters)
North of Aconcagua, Cerro Mercedario is the very best level of the Cordillera de la Ramada mountain vary. It’s recognized particularly for mountaineering, relationship again to 1934, with implications of potential Inca summits all the way in which within the 1400s. The north and south sides of the mountain had been ascended first by explorers solely 3 years aside, in 1968 and 1971.
Yerupaja, Peru – 21,709 toes (6,617 meters)
The second-highest mountain in Peru, Yerupaja just isn’t significantly climber-friendly. The primary ascent wasn’t till 1950. Earlier than that it was the very best unclimbed summit exterior of Asia, when it was climbed by an American pair. Nevertheless, the sharp peaks and rugged, rocky floor make it much less very best, particularly with the proximity of different notable summits on this record. On the plus facet, the closest city is simply 4.5 hours of driving from Lima, so this one is not less than simpler to see from a lookout level than a number of the larger peaks in distant areas.
Incahuasi , Chile – 21,722 toes (6,621 meters)
Northeast of Ojos del Salado is the eighth-highest mountain in South America, forming a 30-mile volcanic path together with Cerro El Muerto, El Solo, and Nevado Tres Cruces. (Seeing a cluster sample right here?) The mountain has no glaciers however typically will get snow, and Inca constructions have been discovered documenting ascension all the way in which again within the 1400s.
It’s recognized for its numerous archeological websites and the summit’s Incan temple, the world’s second-highest ruins.
Tupungato, Argentina and Chile – 21,555 toes (6,570 meters)
Tupungato and Little Tupungato, or Tupungatitio are a lava dome and volcano duo on the border of Argentina and Chile. Tupungatitio is an lively volcano nonetheless. The mountain is the positioning of a 6-person Star Mud aircraft crash again in 1947. Aircraft remnants had been discovered within the glaciers over 50 years later within the yr 2000.
The jap and western summits are notable factors, and the identify is derived from a Quechua deity. From the wineries round Lujan de Cujo in Mendoza province, you’ll be able to typically see this peak within the distance over the grape vines. We advise a keep at Entre Cielos to take all of it in with a glass of wine in hand.
Nevado Sajama, Bolivia – 21,463 toes (6,542 meters)
The very best peak in Bolivia, Nevado Sajama is a part of the Cordillera Occidental. It hosts the Sajama Nationwide Park and its identify, referring to a cactus within the area, is from the indigenous Aymara language.
There’s a latest attention-grabbing twist to the climbing expeditions right here: there are some led by feminine Cholitos (the women with conventional garb and the fedora-style hats). You’ll be able to learn or hear their story on this Duolingo podcast episode.
One final be aware: you’ll discover that not one of the highest mountains in South America are in Patagonia. Whereas that area will get a lot of the mountaineering vacationers that come to Argentina and Chile, these picturesque peaks aren’t truly that top. It is advisable to fear extra about altitude illness whenever you’re trekking in Peru, together with on the Inca Path and Saltankay Path, than in Patagonia.
